Sept. 27, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Five LMU men's tennis players have competed at a pair of United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit Futures events over the last few weeks. Nicholas Bjerke, Sebastian Bustamante, Nick Northcott, Daniel Simko and Alex Wilton each competed in tournaments in Claremont (September 9-12) and Costa Mesa (September 16-25).

The Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center USTA Pro Classic took place in Claremont for the 16th straight year this year. The tournament was the third of five USTA Pro Circuit Futures events held in California this year and the first event following the US Open.

The Lions showed well in Claremont, as three of the five athletes won first-round matches to reach the second round. Northcott and Simko each defeated first-round opponents before being knocked-out in the second. After earning a victory over Keith Gonzalez in the first round, Bjerke defeated Michael Calderone in a close match at 7-6 (7), 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3) in the second. Playing the No. 13 seed Xin Gao of China in the third round, Bjerke turned heads with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory to advance to the final of the qualifying draw. There, Bjerke could not upset his second straight seeded opponent, falling to No. 8 Sahr Timothy Kpulun 6-3, 6-2.

All five players also entered the Costa Mesa Pro Classic, where Bjerke once again advanced past the second round. The junior from Oslo, Norway defeated Roger Muri in the first round before besting Bo Hardt in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 to reach the third round. Unfortunately for Bjerke, he was unable to play in the match because of an injury, resulting in a walkover loss to Evan Song.

- GO LIONS -